Marc Veasey Racking up Big Endorsements in CD-33 Runoff

With early voting set to begin on Monday in our primary runoffs, Marc Veasey is racking up impressive organizational endorsements that pack some serious heft in the race for CD-33. The 33rd district is a minority opportunity district in the Metroplex spanning Tarrant and Dallas counties. Veasey, a distinguished State Representative, is facing Domingo Garcia, a former State Rep described by Paul Burka as “a one-man leper colony.”

The National Association of Realtors put together the following ad touting their support of Veasey. The ad is positive, touting Veasey's endorsements by the Dallas Morning News and For Worth Star Telegram as well as his work on economic issues in the Legislature. Take a look:

The group has spent $150,000 to air the ad in the Metroplex. That's a good chunk of change, and will hopefully provide Veasey with some serious air cover.

Yesterday, the League of Conservation Voters jumped on the Veasey train, with their federal PAC endorsing him as well. From their press release:

“We need Marc Veasey's environmental leadership in the United States House of Representatives. He's fought for environmental priorities like clean air and clean water for years in the state legislature and he will be an outstanding advocate in Congress. LCV Action Fund is proud to endorse Marc Veasey,” said LCV Action Fund President Gene Karpinski.

During his career in the state legislature, Veasey has been a champion for environmental issues as a member of the Environmental Regulation Committee. As Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, Veasey was instrumental in leading the fight against Governor Rick Perry's attempts to skirt federal environmental regulations and reward his special interest friends.

Not a bad haul for Veasey. No word yet if LCV is planning to spend money in support of their candidate; in CD-23 the organization spent significant money in support of Pete Gallego in the first round of the primary, so they have a history of putting their money where their endorsements are.

Meanwhile, the Fort Worth Star Telegram has re-upped their endorsement of Veasey in an editorial that ran two weeks ago. The piece mainly focuses on Garcia's negative and irresponsible campaigning:

Garcia early on attacked three of Tarrant County's largest employers by announcing opposition to the F-35 fighter jet built by Lockheed Martin, calling American Airlines' management “reprehensible” and saying he had no confidence in General Motors. Those were statements many thought the lawyer would walk back after reflection or at least do a better job of explaining. He did neither, as Veasey staunchly defended the companies and their workers.

Attempting to insult Veasey by calling him an “errand boy” for big business, Garcia offended many of his would-be constituents by referring to an African-American man as a “boy,” a statement for which he has refused to apologize.

Veasey was the leading vote-getter in the first round, racking up 37% to Garcia's 25% in a crowded 11-way race. Garcia spent heavily on his own race, to the tune of over a half-million dollars. The run-off will likely come down to who can do a better job mobilizing their respective bases: Veasey's strong support in Fort Worth and from African-Americans, and Garcia's in parts of Dallas County and with some Hispanic voters. Clouding the easy parsing of the district is Veasey's growing support amongst Hispanic leaders such as State Reps Rafael Anchia and Robert Alonzo, and Garcia's endorsement of Fort Worth city council member Kathleen Hicks. Time will tell.

Early voting begins Monday July 23 and runs through Friday. Election Day is Tuesday July 31. Yep, voting in July. In a primary.

About Author

Katherine Haenschen is a PhD candidate at the University of Texas, where she studies political participation on digital media. She previously managed successful candidate, issue, voter registration, and GOTV campaigns in Central Texas. She is also a fan of UCONN women's basketball and breakfast tacos.